Chapter 256: Lying Low
In the hospital ward, LeVert stared at Murray lying on the bed, a bitter taste in his mouth.
He and Murray had spent an entire year grinding and training in the Stockton G-League, finally ready to break through—yet Murray collapsed on the very last step before dawn.
For a moment, LeVert felt the world tilt. His closest partner had gone down like this, before even getting the chance to step onto the real battlefield.
“Who are you scowling at?”
Murray’s familiar, teasing voice suddenly sounded.
Lying in bed, Murray was watching him with a playful expression.
“You’re awake!”
LeVert stepped forward, surprised and relieved.
“How do you feel?”
“Eh… same old.”
Murray remained completely nonchalant.
“My right leg just feels hollow.”
That sensation was normal for a ligament tear.
“Don’t act like I’m dead.”
Murray grinned at him.
“I’m out now. Your minutes are going up!”
“Even now, basketball’s all you think about?!”
LeVert couldn’t help but laugh in exasperation.
“Do you even know what kind of injury you have? If you don’t handle this properly, it could end your career!”
“Well, it happened. Nothing I can do now.”
Murray shrugged, not arguing.
“All we can do is follow the treatment plan and work hard in rehab.”
“Well said!”
Before the two could finish their conversation, Chen Yilun’s voice suddenly came from the doorway.
Chen Yilun walked in holding Murray’s pathology report, with Malone right behind him.
“Kid, you really caught some bad luck,”
Chen Yilun said, half-chuckling as he looked at Murray.
“We gave you the chance, and you tripped yourself up. But it’s fine! Just recover properly. The team won’t give up on you. We’ll keep your spot until you’re fully back.”
Hearing that, both Murray and LeVert felt warmth stir in their chests.
In a business-driven league, most managers were synonymous with cold-blooded pragmatism. As late first-rounders, they were never going to be valued highly.
When Murray first learned about his injury, he had already prepared himself to be abandoned by the team.
But coming from the streets, he would never let anyone see his vulnerability.
“You don’t talk much, but I know you think a lot. Don’t worry about all that nonsense. The team’s doing great—we can afford to wait for you.”
Chen Yilun set the pathology report at Murray’s bedside and patted his shoulder.
“Stay here and rest for now. Once you’re able to move again, don’t go back to Stockton. Come straight to Sacramento for rehab.”
With that, Chen Yilun waved and left with Malone.
Watching him walk away, Murray smacked his lips and murmured,
“So that’s why guys still talk about Chen Yilun like he’s the best, even after getting traded.”
“He looks like a goof half the time, but when things really go down? He steps up,” LeVert said with a sigh.
“Having a boss like that is a blessing for us.”
“Why are you talking like some street-gang follower again?!”
...
In the hospital hallway, Chen Yilun and Malone walked side by side.
“Now that Murray’s hurt, we don’t even have a real point guard,” Malone said, scratching his head awkwardly.
This had been a lingering issue for the Kings. Whether it was CJ or Josh Richardson, they were both combo guards—leaning more toward shooting guard.
Booker was a pure scoring machine.
They finally got a true point guard, and he got injured right away.
And LeVert was also a combo guard.
“Let’s pull another one up.”
After thinking for a moment, Malone finally spoke.
“LeVert’s the only guard left on the bench. It’s not enough.”
“Alright,” Chen Yilun nodded.
“Bring up Fred VanVleet. He’s been training for a year—he should be ready to contribute.”
Malone nodded in agreement.
“That kid’s solid. His shooting volume is still low, but he’ll work fine as a backup guard.”
“Okay, I’ll call the young lady in a bit.”
Chen Yilun had a complicated mix of affection and dread toward Anjali, who had been thriving in Stockton.
Ever since she got there, she’d turned into a full-on career powerhouse. With her status and her relationship with Chen Yilun, she constantly bargained with him.
This time would probably be another long back-and-forth.
“Anyway, our only mission is to keep winning championships. As long as we take it again this year, everything else becomes easy to handle.”
If the Kings repeated this season, they’d have one foot inside the door of dynasty status.
In all league history, only four dynasties were universally recognized: the Lakers, Celtics, Bulls, and Spurs.
Win another one this year, and players would line up to take pay cuts just to join a dynasty team.
“I get it,” Malone said with a nod.
“One more thing—West told me he’s willing to retire and join us as an assistant coach.”
“That works,” Chen Yilun replied. “You deal with it. I’ll stay out of it.”
The league didn’t officially cap the number of assistant coaches, but the Kings’ staff was already getting crowded. Better if Chen Yilun didn’t personally handle this one.
“That’s everything,” Malone said after thinking for a moment. “Now we just wait for the new season.”
...
Inside Oracle Arena, Curry stood alone on the empty court, staring silently at the still-new championship banner hanging overhead.
He had thought it was just the beginning.
He never imagined that only two years later, things would look like this.
“Don’t overthink it,” Thompson said quietly, walking up behind him.
“Once you sit at the table, there’s no walking away. Let’s go, brother.”
Encouraged by his partner, Curry gave a firm nod.
“This year we’re deep and loaded. We’ll bring that King down.”
...
Meanwhile, in a gym in Cleveland, James finished his workout and dropped a barbell to the floor. The weight landed with a heavy thud.
Wiping the sweat from his face, James muttered to himself,
“One championship and you think you can surpass me? Kevin, you’re dreaming. A dynasty isn’t built that easily. Even if I’m the only one left, I’ll be the biggest obstacle in your way.”
Similar scenes played out in Houston, Oklahoma City, and Boston.
Everyone had locked onto a single goal—
Stop the Sacramento Kings this season!
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